A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending sections 2829 and 2882 (MCL 333.2829 and 333.2882), section 2829 as amended by 1992 PA 248 and section 2882 as amended by 2020 PA 209.
HB 5148 and HB 5149 would allow an adult adoptee or a descendent or legal representative of an adult adoptee to obtain an unredacted copy of the adult adoptee's birth certificate by filing a written request with the State Registrar and paying a fee. Currently, former parents who had their rights terminated may deny the release of identifying information; the bills would delete this provision but maintain any denial filed before July 1, 2024. Instead, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) would have to develop a contact preference form that former parents, including those with terminated parental rights, could file with the DHHS or State Registrar. The form would allow the former parent to specify contact preferences, including no contact, direct contact, or contact through an intermediary. Additionally, the bills would delete a provision that required adoptees adopted between May 28, 1945, and September 12, 1980, to have central registry clearance and a court order to obtain birth records.
Co-sponsored by Reps.
Referred to the Committee on Families, Children and Seniors
Reported with substitute H-1
Substitute H-1 concurred in by voice vote
Passed in the House 99 to 8 (details)
Motion to give immediate effect
by
The motion prevailed by voice vote
Referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety
